Electrical medallion

ABSTRACT

An electrical medallion removably connected to at least a portion of an external surface, the electrical medallion including a main body constructed as a ceiling medallion, a plurality of electrical outlets disposed within at least a portion of the main body to receive an electrical plug therein, and a GFI circuit disposed within at least a portion of the main body to automatically isolate and disable at least one of the plurality of electrical outlets in response to detecting an electric current is unbalanced.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The present general inventive concept relates generally to a ceilingmedallion, and particularly, to an electrical medallion.

2. Description of the Related Art

In some buildings, such as homes, it can be difficult to find a sourceof power for additional lighting. Moreover, in older homes theavailability of exterior electrical outlets is limited.

A ceiling medallion is a decorative element disposed on a ceiling toimprove aesthetics in a room. Typically, they surround a hole where alighting element is installed, such as a chandelier. As such, theconventional ceiling medallion has no other utility while installed inthe ceiling.

Therefore, there is a need for an electrical medallion that provideselectrical connectivity options for electrical devices.

SUMMARY

The present general inventive concept provides an electrical medallion.

Additional features and utilities of the present general inventiveconcept will be set forth in part in the description which follows and,in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned bypractice of the general inventive concept.

The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present generalinventive concept may be achieved by providing an electrical medallionremovably connected to at least a portion of an external surface, theelectrical medallion including a main body constructed as a ceilingmedallion, a plurality of electrical outlets disposed within at least aportion of the main body to receive an electrical plug therein, and aGFI circuit disposed within at least a portion of the main body toautomatically isolate and disable at least one of the plurality ofelectrical outlets in response to detecting an electric current isunbalanced.

The electrical medallion may further include a GFI reset switch movablydisposed on at least a portion of the main body to allow the pluralityof electrical outlets to receive the electric current in response tobeing switched off.

The electrical medallion may further include a control circuit disposedon at least a portion of the main body to control movement of theelectric current to at least one of the plurality of electrical outletsin response to movement of a control switch.

The electrical medallion may further include a plurality of wiresdisposed within at least a portion of the main body and connected to theplurality of electrical outlets to connect to an external power sourceto receive power therefrom and send the power to the plurality ofelectrical outlets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other features and utilities of the present generallyinventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated fromthe following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a rear perspective view of an electrical medallion,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventiveconcept;

FIG. 2 illustrates an elevational front view of the electricalmedallion, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present generalinventive concept; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective bottom view of the electricalmedallion, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present generalinventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various example embodiments (a.k.a., exemplary embodiments) will now bedescribed more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich some example embodiments are illustrated. In the figures, thethicknesses of lines, layers and/or regions may be exaggerated forclarity.

Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of variousmodifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown byway of example in the figures and will herein be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit exampleembodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary,example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure. Like numbersrefer to like/similar elements throughout the detailed description.

It is understood that when an element is referred to as being“connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directlyconnected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyconnected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are nointervening elements present. Other words used to describe therelationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion(e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directlyadjacent,” etc.).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exampleembodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when usedherein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presenceor addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. Itwill be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art.However, should the present disclosure give a specific meaning to a termdeviating from a meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill,this meaning is to be taken into account in the specific context thisdefinition is given herein.

LIST OF COMPONENTS

-   -   Electrical Medallion 100    -   Main Body 110    -   Center Aperture 111    -   Electrical Outlets 120    -   Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) Circuit 130    -   GFI Reset Switch 140    -   Control Circuit 150    -   Control Switch 160    -   Lid 170    -   Lid Aperture 171    -   Wires 180

FIG. 1 illustrates a rear perspective view of an electrical medallion100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present generalinventive concept.

FIG. 2 illustrates an elevational front view of the electrical medallion100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present generalinventive concept.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective bottom view of the electricalmedallion 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentgeneral inventive concept.

The electrical medallion 100 may be constructed from at least one ofmetal, plastic, wood, and rubber, etc., but is not limited thereto.

The electrical medallion 100 may include a main body 110, a plurality ofelectrical outlets 120, a ground fault interrupter (GFI) circuit 130, aGFI reset switch 140, a control circuit 150, a control switch 160, a lid170, and a plurality of wires 180, but is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3 , the main body 110 is illustrated tohave a cylindrical shape. However, the main body 110 may be rectangular,circular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, orany other shape known to one of ordinary skill in the art, but is notlimited thereto.

The main body 110 may be removably connected to at least a portion of anexternal surface (e.g., a wall, a ceiling, etc.). For example, the mainbody 110 may be connected using a fastener, such as a screw, a nail, abolt, a washer, a nut, a clamp, a clasp, a magnet, and/or anycombination thereof. Moreover, the main body 110 may be similar to aceiling medallion and have a particular aesthetic based on a preferenceof a user.

The main body 110 may include a center aperture 111, but is not limitedthereto.

The center aperture 111 may be disposed at a center of the main body110. The center aperture 111 may receive at least one item therethrough,such as at least one wire and at least one rod (e.g., ceiling mountingrod for a light).

Each of the plurality of electrical outlets 120 may include atwo-aperture outlet, a three-aperture outlet, a four-aperture outlet, afive-aperture outlet, and a six-aperture outlet, but is not limitedthereto.

The plurality of electrical outlets 120 may be disposed on and/or withinat least a portion of the main body 110. Each of the plurality ofelectrical outlets 120 may receive an electrical plug therein to providepower while the electrical plug is connected therein.

The GFI circuit 130 may be disposed within at least a portion of themain body 110 and/or connected to each of the plurality of electricaloutlets 120. The GFI circuit 130 may automatically isolate at least oneof the plurality of electrical outlets 120 in response to detecting anelectric current is unbalanced, such that the GFI circuit 130 maydisable at least one of the plurality of electrical outlets 120 toprevent a fire, overheating, and/or damage to wiring.

The GFI reset switch 140 may be movably (i.e., pivotally, slidably)disposed on at least a portion of the main body 110 and/or connected tothe GFI circuit 130. The GFI reset switch 140 may automatically movefrom off in a first position to on in a second position in response tothe GFI circuit 130 disabling at least one of the plurality ofelectrical outlets 120. Conversely, the GFI reset switch 140 may movefrom on in the second position to off in the first position in responseto an application of force (e.g., pushing, pulling) thereto. As such,the GFI reset switch 140 may move to off to reset the GFI circuit 130and allow the plurality of electrical outlets 120 to receive theelectric current.

The control circuit 150 may be disposed on at least a portion of themain body 110 and/or connected to the plurality of electrical outlets120. The control circuit 150 may control movement of the electriccurrent to at least one of the plurality of electrical outlets 120. Inother words, the control circuit 150 may allow the electric current tomove to a first of the electrical outlets 120, a second of theelectrical outlets 120, all of the electrical outlets 120, and/or noneof the electrical outlets 120.

The control switch 160 may be movably (e.g., pivotally, slidably)disposed on at least a portion of the main body 110 and/or connected tothe control circuit 150. The control switch 160 may move the controlcircuit 150 in a first lateral direction or a second lateral directionopposite with respect to the first lateral direction. Additionally, thecontrol switch 160 may control movement of the electric current via thecontrol circuit 150 based on a position of the control switch 160.

The lid 170 may include a lid aperture 171, but is not limited thereto.

The lid 170 may be removably connected to at least a portion of the mainbody 110. More specifically, the lid 170 may cover an interior of themain body 110 while disposed on the main body 110. Conversely, the lid170 may facilitate access within the main body 110 while removed fromthe main body 110.

The lid aperture 171 may be disposed on at least a portion of a centerof the lid 170. Moreover, the lid aperture 171 may facilitate accessthrough the lid 170.

The plurality of wires 180 may be disposed within at least a portion ofthe main body 110 and/or connected to the plurality of electricaloutlets 120, the GFI circuit 130, and/or the control circuit 150. Theplurality of wires 180 may connect to an exterior wiring unit. Forexample, the plurality of wires 180 may connect to the exterior wiringunit and/or an external power source (e.g., porch light) to receivepower therefrom. Accordingly, the plurality of wires 180 may send powerreceived from the external power source to the plurality of electricaloutlets 120.

Therefore, the electrical medallion 100 may increase electricalconnectivity options for electrical devices, such as a Christmas lights,power tools, and a barbecue grill. Also, the electrical medallion 100may provide an appealing aesthetic while offering functional utility.

The present general inventive concept may include an electricalmedallion 100 removably connected to at least a portion of an externalsurface, the electrical medallion 100 including a main body 110constructed as a ceiling medallion, a plurality of electrical outlets120 disposed within at least a portion of the main body 110 to receivean electrical plug therein, and a GFI circuit 130 disposed within atleast a portion of the main body 110 to automatically isolate anddisable at least one of the plurality of electrical outlets 120 inresponse to detecting an electric current is unbalanced.

The electrical medallion 100 may further include a GFI reset switch 140movably disposed on at least a portion of the main body 110 to allow theplurality of electrical outlets 120 to receive the electric current inresponse to being switched off.

The electrical medallion 100 may further include a control circuit 150disposed on at least a portion of the main body 110 to control movementof the electric current to at least one of the plurality of electricaloutlets 120 in response to movement of a control switch 160.

The electrical medallion 100 may further include a plurality of wires180 disposed within at least a portion of the main body 110 andconnected to the plurality of electrical outlets 120 to connect to anexternal power source to receive power therefrom and send the power tothe plurality of electrical outlets 120.

Although a few embodiments of the present general inventive concept havebeen shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in theart that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing fromthe principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope ofwhich is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. An electrical medallion removably connected to at least a portion ofan external surface, the electrical medallion comprising: a main bodyconstructed as a ceiling medallion; a plurality of electrical outletsdisposed within at least a portion of the main body to receive anelectrical plug therein; and a GFI circuit disposed within at least aportion of the main body to automatically isolate and disable at leastone of the plurality of electrical outlets in response to detecting anelectric current is unbalanced.
 2. The electrical medallion of claim 1,further comprising: a GFI reset switch movably disposed on at least aportion of the main body to allow the plurality of electrical outlets toreceive the electric current in response to being switched off.
 3. Theelectrical medallion of claim 1, further comprising: a control circuitdisposed on at least a portion of the main body to control movement ofthe electric current to at least one of the plurality of electricaloutlets in response to movement of a control switch.
 4. The electricalmedallion of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of wires disposedwithin at least a portion of the main body and connected to theplurality of electrical outlets to connect to an external power sourceto receive power therefrom and send the power to the plurality ofelectrical outlets.